What is truth, and does truth really matter? Jesus
affirmed before the Roman Governor, Pilate, that he came into
the world to bear witness of the truth (John 18:37). Pilate attempted
to deflect the importance of truth by posing the question, "What
is truth?" Like Pilate, myriads of contemporary religious
people and religious leaders attempt to deflect the importance
of spiritual truth today.
The Bible (especially the New Testament for people
living today) is not so vague that biblical truth cannot be ascertained.
Yet, many are the religious bodies throughout history through
the present that propose new truths, as though they were
new bills proposed in some legislature to be argued for
and against by various political persuasions, finally adopted
by popular vote. In reality, biblical truth has long been settled;
the ink of which truth dried nearly 2,000 years ago.
God did not leave mankind without instructions,
but he has provided us divine truth (2 Peter 1:3). Simply read
the following verses of Scripture, and see if you can discern
God's divine truth on these various topics.
(1) Homosexuality (1 Corinthians 6:9 NKJV, NIV).
(2) Women preachers (1 Timothy 2:12, 1 Corinthians
14:34).
(3) Women elders & deacons (Titus 1:5-6,
1 Timothy 3:12).
(4) Frequency of the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7).
(5) Does the kingdom exist yet? (Matthew 16:18-19,
Colossians 1:13, Revelation 1:9)
(6) Is Jesus reigning as King now? (1 Corinthians
15:24-28)
(7) Does baptism save ? (1 Peter 3:21, Acts 22:16)
(8) Is man permitted to adopt his own religious
doctrine? (Matthew 15:9, Galatians 1:6-9, Revelation 22:18-19)
Ascertaining divine truth from the New Testament
is no more difficult than that, and one does not need (or have
a right) to submit any divine truth to a popular vote. "All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every
good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV). RD 3 Box 28, Cameron,
WV 26033. lrushmore@frontiernet.net